If you have to go to a chain Italian restaurant...

...which one do you choose?

My top choice is Carraba's. Pretty diverse menu and food is not bad with a good atmosphere. Probably wouldn't make my top 5 locally but will do when with someone who wants to go "safe" (like the people who go to France and eat at McDonald's).

On the West Coast I guess it would be Olive Garden or Maggianos. Maybe AG can think of other chain Italian restaurants.

Maggiano's is alright. Forget about Olive Garden The best chain restaurant here in California would have to be Filippi's. Good food. Good pizza. Sauce/gravy tastes authentic. They are down in the Escondido, San Diego area and I'm pretty sure there are a couple up north. We eat at the one in San Diego's Little Italy.

A lot of east coast transplants including myself like Panera. It's not an Italian restaurant but it is a good place to get a sandwich on decent tasting bread.

AG,

I knew you'd come up with something better than Olive Garden

Never heard of Filippi's, but next time I go down to SD I'll check them out. Went down to SD to a Neapolitan restaurant for Timpano (Timballo) after watching the move The Big Night, but it went out of business several years ago. Great dish though.

Make a reservation for Filippi's. It is always busy. And bring your appetite.

I went to Beppo's in Dallas this weekend. I ate the eggplant; pretty good.

We tried Carrabba's in Naples, FL, which was pretty decent. Veal scaloppini wasn't top quality, but not bad. Service was good. Also tried Beppo in several cities. Big portions, fairly decent food.

My eggplant portion was huge!

Beppo will do in a pinch. I always stick to the baked pastas there with a chicken accompanying. Prefer Carrabba's as their stuff has more character. Can't speak for the veal though.

Carrabbas. I go to the one in Huntsville every second Saturday.

How many places do you have to own to be considered a chain. How about three places can you consider that a chain?

I think of chains as nationwide, or at least multistate. There are some restaurants here that have multiple franchises but all are within the state, so I don't consider them chains per se. Eye of the beholder and all, though.

Have you guys ever heard of a sub chain called DiBella's? They're sandwiches are amazing, hands down the best italian sub I have ever had.

Yes, I had the Godfather in Rochester, N.Y., the best sub to have, the Uncle Louie in Buffalo, N.Y., and the last time I was at one of their stores was right outside Cincinnati, O.H, where I just customized my sub. I would not say they are the best Italian sub I ever had, but when talking about chains, if there is one nearby yes I would go there first.